SYLVIE FLEURYSweet’n LowSilkscreen on canvas30x50 cmEdition of 250Printed and Published by Marco Noire, 1994

Sylvie Fleury, born in 1961, lives and works in Geneva. She is known for her mises-en-scène of glamour, fashion and luxury products. Although at first glance her works may seem like an affirmation of the consumer society and its values, on closer inspection a more subtle commentary on superficial beauty becomes apparent. Her objects, wall pieces, pictures and installations assume an intrinsic value far exceeding the mere affirmation of brand names.' Fleury's fetish-filled world is transformed through a female gaze. In a recent conversation with artist Peter Halley, she explained: 'Just recontextualising something that's very superficial will give it a new depth. And sometimes, just being a woman and showing something like a pair of shoes, a car, or a Carl Andre gives it another dimension.' Her 'feminisation' of typically 'masculine' objects has a tongue in cheek political edge. Pieces like Skincrime2 (Givenchy 601) (1997), a crushed car painted in pink nail varnish, and the painted slogan Miniskirts are back (2003) seem to giggle at tired presumptions, with knowing humour.